The Trinity. .The Trinity. By Roger E. Olson and Christopher A. Hall. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2002. vii and 156 pages. Paper. $15.00. This short book Short book See: Unmatched book., a guide to the historical development of the doctrine of the Trinity and its contemporary reinterpretations, will be welcomed by teachers of introductory theology classes. Olson and Hall are markedly judicious in their overall treatment. The book's outline is simple and straightforward. It starts with "Patristic Contributions" and then deals with "Medieval, Reformation, and Modern Contributions." The book concludes with a 30-page annotated bibliography, extensive and highly valuable not just for the student but also the seasoned scholar. The section on the patristics (Apologists, Clement, Origen Origen (ôr`ĭjĭn), 185?–254?, Christian philosopher and scholar. His full name was Origines Adamantius, and he was born in Egypt, probably in Alexandria. When he was quite young, his father was martyred., Irenaeus, Tertullian Tertullian (Quintus Septimus Florens Tertullianus) (tûrtŭl`yən), c.160–c.230, Roman theologian and Christian apologist, b. Carthage. He was the son of a centurion and was well educated, especially in law. Converted to Christianity c.197, he became the most formidable defender of the faith in his day., Cappadocians, Hilary, Augustine) skillfully and succinctly handles material which for most beginning students is highly complex and turgid turgid /tur·gid/ (ter´jid) swollen and congested. tur·gid (tûr j d)adj. . This will be welcomed by many instructors. The sections on Richard of St. Victor, Joachim of Fiore Joachim of Fiore (jō`əkĭm), c.1132–1202, Italian Cistercian monk. He was abbot of Corazzo, Italy, but withdrew into solitude. He left scriptural commentaries prophesying a new age. In his "Age of the Spirit" the hierarchy of the church would be unnecessary and infidels would unite with Christians., and Aquinas crosses the information gap about medieval views of the Trinity that result from many scholars ignoring important medieval contributions. The authors' attempt to discern Luther's view of the Trinity largely from Ewald Plass's What Luther Says is disappointing for this reviewer. However, their reporting on Enlightenment thinkers, such as Zinzendorf and Edwards, corrects a gap in the history of trinitarian doctrine since these thinkers are often ignored. The theologies of the later Barth and Rahner, who contend that the economic Trinity is one with the immanent and vice versa, are masterfully treated, as well as the contemporary thinkers influenced by them: Moltmann, LaCugna, Boff, a nd Ziziouslas. The impact that Moltmann has given to trinitarian theology is thoroughly covered. In this regard, the absence of Pannenberg's trinitarianism, in which the Trinity is so crucial in the development of his overall systematic theology and doctrine of God, is surprising. However, irrespective of a few caveats caveat n. (kah-vee-ott) from Latin caveat for "let him beware." 1) a warning or caution. 2) a popular term used by lawyers to point out that there may be a hidden problem or defect. In effect, "I just want to warn you that...", this book is a sane and readable account of the importance of trinitarian theology to be welcomed by students, clergy, and lay readers. |
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